"Yes, I know," she said. "Whenever you did, I turned warm all over, and wriggled."

"Must have been disconcerting to your escort."

She laughed, bells at twilight.

"It cost me a job, I think. He'd peer at me every time it happened. I think he concluded it was St. Vitus. The job was in Cleveland, anyway."

"Some of the best people live in Cleveland," Simon said.

"But you don't, so I didn't go."

"Ordinarily, I'd have a nice fast comeback for such a leading remark, but I seem to have trouble finding any words at all."

"You could say 'I love you.' "

"I love you," Simon said.

"Me, too, kid."